Committee approves bill letting schools use certain door‑securement devices; fire marshal ordered to publish approved list

House Bill 31, which would require school districts to adopt safety and security policies and allow certain door‑securement devices under locally adopted plans, passed the House Education and Miscellaneous Topic Committee on Jan. 27, 2025.

Representative Pendergraft, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure is “primarily about common sense and local control” and described the bill as a response to schools developing their own ways to secure classroom doors during active‑shooter drills. He said some schools have used ad hoc methods such as draping a fire hose over door closing arms and that districts need clear authority to use purpose‑made devices. “One of the thing that I think is important to have in this bill is a requirement for school districts to adopt some security policies,” Pendergraft said.

The Department of Education supported the bill. Wanda Maloney, speaking for Superintendent Megan Degenfelder, said the department already collects safety plans through its accreditation process under chapter 6 rules and that the superintendent “is in…